Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Congresswoman Speier my Congresswoman?
Congresswoman Speier represents California’s 14th Congressional District. To find out whether you live in the district, go to www.house.gov and enter your zip code.

2. Does Congresswoman Speier offer internships in her California and Capitol Hill offices?
Yes,
Congresswoman Speier offers internships for college students and recent
graduates in her Capitol Hill office and for high school and college
students in her district office. For more information, please visit the internship section or contact the office at which you would be interested in serving as an intern.

3. How can I order a flag that has been flown over the US Capitol?
Congresswoman
Speier offers United States flags at actual cost as a service to her
constituents. At your request, she can even have your flag flown over
the U.S. Capitol. To order a flag, please go to the flag section or contact the Congresswoman’s Capitol Hill office at (202) 225-3531.

4. How can I get help resolving a problem that I am having with a federal agency?
The Congresswoman can help with problems 14th
District residents may have with federal agencies, including problems
with Social Security, labor issues, housing, passports, veterans’
affairs, and immigration. For more information, please see the federal agencies page or contact the San Mateo District Office at (650) 342-0300.

5. How do I apply for a military service academy?
Congresswoman
Speier is proud to recommend qualified students for positions in our
country’s service academies. For further information, please visit the service academy nomination section or you may call the San Mateo office at (650) 342-0300.

6. What legislation has Congresswoman Speier sponsored?
Please visit the legislation section of the website where you can find legislation both authored and cosponsored by Congresswoman Speier.

7. How can I sign up for Congresswoman Speier’s e-newsletter?
You can sign-up for Congresswoman Speier’s e-newsletter by visiting this page and entering your e-mail address.

8. What services can Congresswoman Speier provide for a constituent?
Congresswoman
Speier can help constituents with a federal issue, such as a missing Social Security check, an immigration question, or a veteran’s affairs
issue.

9. What can’t Congresswoman Speier do for me?
Congresswoman
Speier cannot intercede in any matter before any courts. She cannot
intercede in any state, city, county, or municipal government issue.

10. Where can I get information about applying for a federal grant?
The federal government website http://www.grants.gov has extensive information about grants.

11. Where can I find information on Social Security?
Please visit the Social Security section.

12. Where can I find information on Immigration?
Congresswoman
Speier can assist constituents with immigration and citizenship
applications already in progress. However, she cannot initiate an
application on behalf of constituents. Please visit the immigration section for more information.

13. How can I let Congresswoman Speier know my feelings on issues and legislation?
You
can e-mail her your questions, comments, and concerns. Alternatively,
you contact her Capitol Hill office by calling 202-225-3531 or by
sending postal mail to 211 Cannon Building, Washington DC 20515.

14. I have sent Congresswoman Speier a letter with my thoughts on an issue. How long will it be until I can expect a response?
As
you might imagine, Congresswoman Speier receives a large volume of mail
and email. She does her best to personally respond to each letter she
receives as quickly as possible, but her response times can vary. Please
allow four to six weeks to hear back from the office regarding
correspondence.

15. How can I request a meeting with her or invite her to attend my event?
For scheduling requests for events or meetings, please send an e-mail to Congresswoman Speier’s scheduler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please be sure to include the information listed here.

16. How can I find out when the Congresswoman’s next town hall meeting or public event will be in my community?
To learn when her next town hall meeting or public event will be, click here or call Congresswoman Speier’s San Mateo District Office at (650) 342-0300.

17.
How can I request a tour of the US Capitol Building, White House,
Supreme Court, Kennedy Center, US Bureau of Engraving and Printing,
Pentagon and Library of Congress?
Please visit the “Visit Washington DC” page on our website for more information about tours while you’re visiting our nation’s capital.

18. Are there maps of the Capitol and DC Metro Area?Absolutely. Here are a few of the most commonly requested:

19. How does a bill become a law?
In
the simplest terms, a bill becomes a law after it passes the Senate and
the House of Representatives and the President signs it. For more
information about how a bill becomes a law, visit the Library of Congress' guide. The Clerks office
also provides a guide to the legislative processes as it specifically
relates to the House of Representatives.

20. What does a Member of Congress do?
In
brief, Representatives are responsible for representing the people of
their District in the United States Congress. Part of this
responsibility is writing and voting on bills in the U.S. Congress. All
bills must pass Congress before they can go to the President to be
signed into law. Another important part of the job is to help residents of the District if they have a problem with the federal government.

21. What is the difference between the House of Representatives and the US Senate?
The
U.S. Congress is made up of two "houses": the U.S. Senate and the U.S.
House of Representatives. There are 100 members of the Senate and 435
members of the House. Each state has two Senators, regardless of how
many people live in that state. The number of Representatives of each
state, however, is based on the number of people that live in the state.
Senators serve six-year terms. Representatives serve two-year terms.